A novel antiviral treatment combining
nanoparticle and gene silencing technologies thwarts attacks of
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) -- a virus associated with severe
bronchitis and asthma, an animal study by University of South Florida
researchers found. The study was reported in the January 2005 issue of
the journal Nature Medicine.
RSV infects lung cells and can be life-threatening in very young
children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. No
vaccine or widespread antiviral treatment is available for the
infection.

Researchers
at USF's Joy McCann Culverhouse Airway Disease Research Center, working
with scientists from the Moffitt Cancer Center and TransGenex
Nanobiotech Inc., used a revolutionary new technology known as RNA
interference, or gene silencing, to knock out one of the key proteins
needed for RSV to multiply in the lungs. The virus harnesses this
protein, known as NS1, to block the body's own antiviral response,
which would normally kill RSV before it could gain a foothold.
"This is an exciting advance in the fight against respiratory syncytial
virus infection," said Shyam S. Mohapatra, PhD, principal investigator
of the study and director of basic research at the USF Division of
Allergy and Immunology. "We found that RNA interference targeting a
virus's NS1 gene can be administered in the form of a nasal drop or
spray. The treatment keeps the host's natural antiviral shield intact
and attenuates virus reproduction, providing substantial protection
from severe infections over days to weeks."
Dr. Mohapatra and his team developed nose drops containing vectors
capable of producing small fragments of RNA (siRNA). These fragments
were encapsulated within chitosan nanoparticles -- miniscule
naturally-occurring, biodegradable particles that stick to
mucous-producing cells lining the lungs. The RNA produced is
specifically designed to suppress the protein NS1. Without NS1, the
host antiviral defense remains intact and the virus ca'"/>

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